Sacramento County

Biographies

HENRY F. ISHAM

The distinction of being the oldest merchant in point of years of continuous service in the town of Courtland, Sacramento county, belonged to Henry F. Isham, who conducted a meat market here for over forty years. During this period he had enjoyed a large patronage and commanded the confidence of the people because of his sound and honorable business methods. He was born in St. George, Vermont, on the 10^th of July, 1857, a son of T. and Cornelia (Mills) Isham, both of whom are deceased. His father was a member of one of the old and prominent families of that section of New England, and his death occurred in 1895. To him and his wife were born six children, four sons and two daughters, and two of the family are living.

Henry F. Isham received his educational training in the public schools of his native state and in 1876, when nineteen years of age, came to California. He first located at Clarksburg, Yolo county, where he rented a ranch for five years. In 1885, at Clarksburg, he established a meat market which he conducted until 1889, when he moved to Courtland, and there established a meat market, which he managed continuously to the time of his death, August 30, 1930. His only son Merwyn now has the active management of the business.

Mr. Isham was married to Miss Mollie Davis, a daughter of John Y. and Mildred (Butler) Davis, the latter having crossed the plains in a covered wagon. Mrs. Isham is a native of California and is a woman of gracious qualities and kindly manner, beloved by all who know her. Their son Merwyn is married and has a daughter, Barbara Jean. The republican party received Mr. Isham’s support and during all the years of his residence in Courtland he consistently supported those projects which tend to elevate the standards of living and promote the welfare of the community. He was a member of the Masonic order, in which he attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite; was a member of Ben Ali Temple, A.A.O.N.M.S., the Ancient Egyptian Order of Sciots and the order of the Eastern Star. Deer hunting was his favorite outdoor sport and he seldom returned from the chase without evidences of his marksmanship. He enjoyed a wide acquaintance throughout this section of the valley and was very highly respected as one of Courtland’s best citizens.

Transcribed by Debbie Walke Gramlick.

Source: Wooldridge, J.W. Major History of the Sacramento Valley California, Vol. 2 pgs. 388-389. The Pioneer Historical Publishing Co. Chicago 1931.

Sacramento County Biographies